Commissioning of Elevator Hallway Fixtures in a Destination Entry Group Elevator System

ABSTRACT

A destination entry input device ( 30, 35 ) is commissioned in a group elevator system ( 10 ). The destination entry input device ( 30, 35 ) is connected to a dispatch controller ( 20 ). A network address is input into the destination entry input device ( 30, 35 ) corresponding to an installation location of the destination entry input device ( 30, 35 ). When the network address is input, installation location information related to the installation location of the destination entry input device is downloaded to the destination entry input device ( 30, 35 ) and verified.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of elevator control, and inparticular to installation and network registration of elevator hallwayfixtures in a destination entry group elevator system.

Conventional group elevator systems include hall call modules near theelevators on each floor. Typically, the hall call modules include up anddown buttons that are pressed by passengers when elevator service isdesired. Each hall call module is assigned a network address that anelevator controller uses to associate the hall call module with itsfloor location. When one of the buttons on the hall call module ispressed, the elevator controller assigns an elevator that will mostefficiently deliver the passengers in the desired direction. Theelevator controller determines which floor to send an elevator to basedon the network address of the hall call module on which a button waspressed.

When a hall call module is delivered to a building for installation, itmust be configured with the network address associated with the floor onwhich it is going to be installed. All hall call modules on a floor areconfigured with the same network address, since an elevator isdispatched to the floor after pressing a button on any of the hall callmodules on the floor. The hall call modules can later be tested forproper function by simply pressing the buttons on each hall call moduleand assuring that an elevator is dispatched according to the buttonpressed.

Recently, elevator systems with destination entry have been introduced.In a destination entry system, passengers are required to register theirdestination floors before they are picked up. The group elevator systemassigns each passenger to an elevator that most efficiently transportshim or her to the desired destination floor. Passengers register theirdestination floors on destination entry devices, which are mounted nearthe elevators and can take the form of a numeric keypad or a touchscreen display.

The destination entry devices often include audio and visualcapabilities, for example to direct a passenger toward the elevatorassigned based on input provided on the destination entry device. Thedirectional output provided to the passenger depends on the location ofthe destination entry device relative to the assigned elevator.Consequently, each destination entry device in a building (includingthose on the same floor) is assigned a unique network address so that,based on the network address of the destination entry device used toregister the destination, the elevator controller can determine theappropriate directional and distance output.

At present, each destination entry device is configured with its uniquenetwork address prior to installation. At a later time, each destinationentry device must then be tested to assure proper function. Indestination entry systems, each device must be tested to assure that thecorrect software is installed and that every key works properly. Inaddition, it must be verified that various destination entries on thedevice each result in an accurate directional and distance output on thedisplay, and that each elevator is dispatched according to a destinationregistered on a destination entry device. This is an elaborate,time-intensive commissioning process, especially in larger buildingshaving a large number of destination entry devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to the commissioning of a destinationentry input device in a group elevator system. The destination entryinput device is connected to a dispatch controller. A network address isinput into the destination entry input device corresponding to aninstallation location of the destination entry input device. When thenetwork address is input, installation location information related tothe installation location of the destination entry input device isdownloaded to the destination entry input device and verified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a destination entry group elevatorsystem.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a keypad used in the destination entrygroup elevator system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a touch screen display used in thedestination entry group elevator system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for the process of commissioning a destinationentry input device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of destination entry based elevator system10 in building 12. Building 12 includes five floors, including lobbyfloor L, second floor F2, third floor F3, fourth floor F4, and fifthfloor F5. Group elevator system 10 includes three elevators 14 a, 14 b,and 14 c, each of which is operable to transport passengers to any ofthe floors in building 12. While three elevators 14 a-14 c and fivefloors L and F2-F5 are shown, it will be appreciated that the presentinvention is applicable to destination entry group elevator systems withany number of elevators servicing any number of floors.

The operation of each elevator is controlled by a dedicated carcontroller. In particular, elevator 14 a is controlled by car controller16 a, elevator 14 b is controlled by car controller 16 b, and elevator14 c is controlled by car controller 16 c. Car controllers 16 a-16 c areconnected to and communicate with each other via communications loop 18.

Car controllers 16 a-16 c control elevators 14 a-14 c, respectively,based on elevator control information received from dispatch controller20. Dispatch controller 20 is connected to car controllers 16 a-16 c viacommunications loop 18. Dispatch controller 20 processes destinationinput information received via communications lines (not shown) andprovides elevator control information based on the destination inputinformation.

Destination input information is provided by passengers via destinationentry input devices located on each floor. The destination entry inputdevices are located next to the elevators on each floor and are used bypassengers to enter their desired destination floor via numbered keys onthe input device. The destination entry input devices may also includekeys labeled for specific areas of the building such that a passengermay press the labeled keys to be transported directly to the area on thekey. In group elevator system 10, the destination entry input devicesinclude keypads 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, and 30 e, and touch screendisplays 35 a, 35 b, 35 c, 35 d, and 35 e, together with digitalcircuitry that receives inputs from a keypad 30 a-30 e, displaysinformation on touch screen displays 35 a-35 e, and communicates withdispatch controller 20. Keypads 30 will be described in more detail withregard to FIG. 2, and touch screen display 35 will be described in moredetail with regard to FIG. 3. The digital circuitry associated with eachkeypad 30 and touch screen display 35 is connected to dispatchcontroller 20 via a data line (not shown). The commissioning process forinstalling and configuring keypads 30 and touch screen displays 35according to the present invention will be described with regard to FIG.4. It will be appreciated that any combination of keypads 30 and touchscreen displays 35 may be employed throughout building 12.

The scheduling of elevators 14 a-14 c is coordinated by dispatchcontroller 20 based on the destination input information provided onkeypads 30 and touch screen displays 35. Elevators 14 a-14 c areindependent, but are coupled through serving a common pool ofpassengers. For each passenger, there is only one elevator 14 that willserve that passenger. As each passenger enters his or her destinationfloor on one of keypads 30 or touch screen displays 35, the passenger isdirected to an elevator that will most efficiently service his or herdestination request. Dispatch controller 20 communicates with carcontrollers 16 a-16 c to determine the locations of elevators 14 a-14 cwhen assigning passengers to an elevator. When passengers enter theirassigned elevator, the car controller controls the elevator so as tostop only at those floors that passengers on the assigned elevatorrequested. By grouping passengers in this way, passengers reach theirdestination floor in an efficient manner with fewer stops than inconventional elevator systems.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of keypad 30 used in the destination entrygroup elevator system 10 shown in FIG. 1. Keypad 30 includes display 40,numeric keys 42, accessibility key 44, and electroacoustic transducer orspeaker 46. In one embodiment, display 40 is a liquid crystal display(LCD) or light-emitting diode (LED) type display.

When a passenger wishes to be transported between floors in groupelevator system 10, the passenger enters his or her desired destinationfloor using numeric keys 42. For example, if a passenger wants to betransported from lobby floor L to floor F4, the passenger presses the“4” key on numeric keys 42 of keypad 30 located on lobby floor L. Thisdestination input information is then provided to dispatch controller20. Based on the locations of the cars in elevators 14 a-14 c (asprovided by car controllers 16 a-16 c), dispatch controller 20 providesa signal to keypad 30 that was used by the passenger to enter thedestination input information. This signal contains the passenger'selevator assignment. Keypad 30 then directs the passenger to theappropriate elevator using display 40. For example, if the passengeruses keypad 30 nearest elevator 14 c to enter the destination inputinformation, and the passenger is assigned to elevator 14 a by dispatchcontroller 20, the letter “A” appears on display 40. An arrow or otherdirectional symbol may also be displayed on display 40 to guide thepassenger in the direction of the assigned elevator.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a touch screen display 35 used in thedestination entry group elevator system 10 shown in FIG. 1. Touch screendisplay 35 includes screen 50 for displaying various interactive keysfor use by passengers to operate group elevator system 10. Theinformation provided on screen 50 is customizable to the building inwhich it is provided. In the embodiment shown, screen 50 includes activedisplay 52 and numeric keys 56.

When a passenger wishes to be transported between floors in groupelevator system 10, the passenger enters his or her desired destinationfloor using numeric keys 56. For example, if a passenger wants to betransported from lobby floor L to floor F4, the passenger presses the“4” key on numeric keys 56 of touch screen 35 located on lobby floor L.This destination input information is then provided to dispatchcontroller 20. Based on the locations of the cars in elevators 14 a-14 c(as provided by car controllers 16 a-16 c), dispatch controller 20provides a signal to touch screen 35. This signal contains thepassenger's elevator assignment. Touch screen 35 then directs thepassenger to the appropriate elevator using active display 52. Forexample, if the passenger is assigned to elevator 14 a by dispatchcontroller 20, the letter “A” appears on active display 52. An arrow orother directional symbol may also be displayed on active display 52 toguide the passenger in the direction of the assigned elevator.

When the destination entry input devices (i.e., keypads 30 a-30 e, touchscreens 35 a-35 e) are brought to building 12 (FIG. 1) for installation,they are not configured for use on any particular floor L-F5 or at anylocation on the floor. However, it is important that each destinationentry input device is configured for use at its installation location,since the directional and distance output provided to the passengerdepends on the location of the destination entry device relative to theassigned elevator. To accomplish this, each destination entry device ina building (including those on the same floor) is assigned a uniquenetwork address. Based on the network address of the destination entryinput device used to register a destination, the elevator controller candetermine the appropriate directional and distance output to provide onthe destination entry input device. Conventionally, this commissioningsystem is a two step process, wherein each destination entry inputdevice is connected to dispatch controller 20 and, on a later occasion,each destination entry input device is configured and tested for properfunction. This is an elaborate, time-intensive commissioning process,especially in larger buildings having a large number of destinationentry devices.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram for the process of commissioning a destinationentry input device according to the present invention in which thedestination entry device is connected, configured, and tested in asingle installation process. When a destination entry input device isbrought to its installation location, it is connected to dispatchcontroller 20 (step 60), for example via a data line as described above.When the destination entry input device is connected to dispatchcontroller 20, a password is typically entered using the keys on thedevice (i.e., numeric keys 42 on keypad 30 or numeric keys 56 on touchscreen display 35) to begin the commissioning process.

When the password has been entered, the keys on the destination entryinput device are tested for proper function (step 62). In oneembodiment, this involves pressing the keys in response to visualprompts on the display of the destination entry input device (i.e.,display 40 on keypad 30 or display 52 on touch screen display 35). Forexample, the display may show a graphic representation of the keys andinstructions to press each key on the keypad to verify functionality.The display may then provide a visual indication that the pressed key isfunctioning properly (e.g., a checkmark next to the graphicrepresentation of the pressed key). If any of the keys are notfunctioning properly, the destination entry input device is repaired orreplaced and reconnected to dispatch controller 20 (step 60).

If all keys are functioning properly, the display of the destinationentry input device then prompts the installer to connect it to thenetwork of group elevator system 10, which includes all destinationentry input devices (i.e., keypads 30 a-30 e, touch screen displays 35a-35 e) and dispatch controller 20. This typically involves entering anetwork address on the destination entry input device using the numerickeys (step 64). The network address that is entered must correspond toan address that is stored in dispatch controller 20, which may beobtained by the installer from an installation schedule that includesthe network address for each input device based on its location inbuilding 12. For example, if keypad 30 c is being installed, the networkaddress on the installation schedule for the destination entry inputdevice corresponding to this location (i.e., floor F3 between elevators14 b and 14 c) would be entered on keypad 30 c during this process.Dispatch controller 20 uses the network address to determine the originof destination entry information and to provide an appropriatedirectional and distance output based on the location of the destinationentry input device. When the network address has been entered into thedestination entry input device, installation location informationrelated to the location of the destination entry input device isdownloaded from dispatch controller 20 (step 66).

When the installation location information has been downloaded, theinstallation location information is reviewed on the display to verifythat it corresponds to the installation location of the destinationentry input device (step 68). The installation location information maybe displayed graphically and may include such information as the floorof installation, the distance and direction to each elevator 14 a-14 cfrom the destination entry input device, and a map of the location ofthe destination entry input device relative to elevators 14 a-14 c. Forexample, the display of installation location information for touchscreen display 35 b should show that it is located between elevators 14a and 14 b and further away from elevator 14 c on floor F2. If theinstallation location information does not correspond to theinstallation location of the destination entry input device, then thenetwork address was entered incorrectly and must be re-entered (step64).

If the installation location information does correspond to theinstallation location, then the installation location information isaccepted (step 70), and the commissioning of the destination entry inputdevice is complete. The destination entry input device is then onlineand may then be tested to verify that elevators 14 a-14 c dispatchproperly in response to each destination entry.

In summary, the subject invention is directed to the commissioning of adestination entry input device in a group elevator system. Thedestination entry input device is connected to a dispatch controller.The destination entry input device is connected to a dispatchcontroller. A network address is input into the destination entry inputdevice corresponding to an installation location of the destinationentry input device. When the network address is input, installationlocation information related to the installation location of thedestination entry input device is downloaded to the destination entryinput device and verified. Thus, each destination entry input device ina group elevator system may be connected, configured, and tested forfunctionality in one commissioning process. This is an improvement overthe commissioning of conventional destination entry systems that requiremultiple visits to each destination entry input device in order tocomplete the commissioning process.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toexamples and preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art willrecognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method for commissioning a destination entry input device in agroup elevator system, the method comprising: connecting the destinationentry input device to a dispatch controller; inputting a network addressinto the destination entry input device corresponding to an installationlocation of the destination entry input device; and verifyinginstallation location information related to the installation locationthat is downloaded to the destination entry input device from thedispatch controller based on the input network address.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, and further comprising: verifying functionality of all keys onthe destination entry input device.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereinverifying functionality of all keys comprises: pressing each key on thedestination entry device; and verifying a visual output on thedestination entry device in response to the key pressed.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein verifying installation location information relatedto the installation location comprises verifying that floor location andelevator relative position information corresponds to the installationlocation of the destination entry input device.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the floor location and elevator relative position informationis provided on a display on the destination entry input device.
 6. Themethod of claim 5, wherein the elevator relative position informationcomprises the distance and direction from the destination 30 entry inputdevice to each elevator in the group elevator system.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, and further comprising: accepting the installation locationinformation to activate the destination entry input device.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the destination entry input device comprisesa keypad.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination entry inputdevice comprises a touch screen.
 10. A method for commissioning adestination entry input device in a group elevator system, the methodcomprising: installing the destination entry input device at aninstallation location; connecting the destination entry input device toa dispatch controller; verifying functionality of all keys on thedestination entry input device; inputting a network address stored inthe dispatch controller that is specific to the installation location ofthe destination entry input device; and verifying installation locationinformation related to the installation location that is downloaded tothe destination entry input device from the dispatch controller based onthe input network address.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein verifyinginstallation location information related to the installation locationcomprises verifying that floor location and elevator relative positioninformation corresponds to the installation location of the destinationentry input device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the floorlocation and elevator relative position information is provided on adisplay on the destination entry input device.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the elevator relative position information comprises thedistance. and direction from the destination entry input device to eachelevator in the group elevator system.
 14. The method of claim 10,wherein verifying functionality of all keys comprises: pressing each keyon the destination entry device; and verifying a visual output on thedestination entry device in response to pressing each key.
 15. Themethod of claim 10, and further comprising: accepting the installationlocation information to activate the destination entry input device. 16.The method of claim 10, wherein the destination entry input devicecomprises a keypad.
 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the destinationentry input device comprises a touch screen.